Aston Villa's top four aspirations depend on the fitness of their first-choice players, says goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

He said: "We have to prove ourselves and we can only do that by finishing in the top four in May. I think it is crucial all our players stay fit because we don't have a massive squad - that is a must.

"I think the big four clubs are under pressure every week to win.

"They are under pressure from themselves, the fans and their boardrooms because they are known as the top four clubs. They win more than they lose and they put the pressure on themselves.

"The only thing that is different is they might find themselves in a different position being in fifth place because they are used to being in the top four. Every single game we play now in the Premier League is a huge game - it doesn't matter whether we are up against a team at the top or bottom.

"We know where Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are and they are not going to slip up too many times. We have to take one game at a time and the next one is West Ham.

"It is a massive, massive game. Every time you can see yourself getting three points it boosts your confidence and every time you rise a place in the league it gives you confidence. Going third would give us confidence from the standpoint of getting three points and rising a place in the league.

"It is going well but it could easily slip away - football is a cruel game sometimes. It is up to us to stay really focused as we are up against a West Ham team who got a good result at Stamford Bridge."